My Parents Still Pray
The first time I ate a communion wafer
I was disappointed by the taste,
expected something stronger
or sweet enough to trick me
into wanting more.
I started to let it sit on my tongue,
slowly dissolving
until there was nothing left.
My mouth dry and empty,
while sitting in the back of a car
that never worked right
and would become our excuse
to stop attending Sunday Mass.
The first time I ate a communion wafer
I was disappointed by the taste,
expected something stronger
or sweet enough to trick me
into wanting more.
I started to let it sit on my tongue,
slowly dissolving
until there was nothing left.
My mouth dry and empty,
while sitting in the back of a car
that never worked right
and would become our excuse
to stop attending Sunday Mass.
Richard LeDue was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, but currently lives in Norway House, Manitoba with his wife and son. His poems have appeared in various publications throughout 2019, and more work is forthcoming throughout 2020, including a chapbook from Kelsey Books.